I am a trained social worker and have a lifelong interest in fairness, equality and living in harmony with nature. Over the years, I have worked on various social/environmental projects and campaigns across Ireland and have experienced the benefits and challenges of trying to live a low carbon life in West Cork. In 2010, I began exploring why we are struggling to live sustainably and in 2013 published an online blog called Chasing Hubcaps, looking at the influence of human psychology and behaviour on our reaction to climate change. In 2015, this led to PhD research in MaREI, UCC on engaging communities in climate action and the thesis: Responding to Climate Change and the Energy Transition: The Experience and Capacity of Communities in Ireland.
Between 2018 and April 2023, I led the MaREI/UCC engaged research team in the Dingle Peninsula 2030 initiative, supporting the sustainable transition on the peninsula. I established a process of reflective learning within the multi-stakeholder partnership which led to a series of co-created learning briefs exploring, analysing and recording our experiences, projects and learnings.
I now work on a freelance basis and am currently the reflective learning lead in a number of community-based climate action projects.
My areas of expertise include:
- Reflective learning and evaluation in community-based projects.
- Engaging communities in climate action.
- Engaged research with communities.
Background
I was brought up on a small organic farm near Carrigaline, Co. Cork, and in 1984 graduated from Trinity College Dublin as a young, nervous social worker. In 1999, I returned to the land to live the Good Life on a 34-acre hill-farm overlooking Bantry Bay, where we built a straw bale house, powered by a wind generator, solar thermal (then PV) panels and wood-burning stove, and grew much of our own food (1999-2013). I now live in a retrofitted bungalow with air source heat pump, solar PV and heat recovery ventilation system (a simpler life) near Ballydehob.
CV
My CV is colourful and includes:
Work on AIDS projects:
- Development Officer with Cork AIDS Alliance; joint co-ordinator of the Irish Quilt Tour 1991, an AIDS Memorial project; co-ordinator and joint executive producer of the Stories from The Silence documentary and educational video/workshop manual for schools, focusing on the reality of AIDS in Ireland (1987-92)
Work on environmental/sustainability projects and campaigns:
- Contract and voluntary work in Greenpeace Ireland Dublin office and on MV Solo; co-ordinator of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Action Group campaigning against local increase in truck traffic; project worker with Global Action Plan Ireland developing neighbourhood eco teams (GAP); project worker with European Car Sharing scheme (pre-curser to GoCar); co-ordinator of Genetic Concern campaign on potential dangers of genetic engineering in food and agriculture (1991-1999); funding assessor for the Irish Environmental Network distributing government funding to member organisations (2009/2010)
A bit of comedy:
- Member of inaugural team then general manager of Kilkenny-based Cat Laughs comedy festival (1994-1996)
A lot of research, reflection, learning and writing:
- Co-authored the book Campaigns and How to Win Them, published by Wolfhound Press (1997)
- Published the online blog Chasing Hubcaps exploring why we are struggling to react effectively to climate change (2013)
- Voluntary member of RTE Audience Council (2010-2014); co-authored research report analysing RTE’s coverage of climate change (2014)
- PhD research in MaREI, UCC on engaging communities in climate action; final thesis Responding to Climate Change and the Energy Transition: The Experience and Capacity of Communities in Ireland (2020) (pdf)
- Led the MaREI engaged research team in the Dingle Peninsula 2030 collaboration; using reflective learning and co-creation approaches, developed a series of learning briefs, exploring, analysing and recording our experiences, projects and learnings (2018- mid 2023)
- Completed various modules/workshops on community based participatory research, positive psychology, conflict resolution, facilitation and coaching (2015-2023)
Awards for Dingle Peninsula 2030:
- Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Engaged Research Award 2022.
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Inspirational Energy Community Award 2022.
- IPB Pride of Place Climate Action Award 2021.
- UCC Engaged Research Award 2021.